Chevrolet Camaro

The biggest news for
the 1994 Chevrolet Camaro was that it was no longer strictly a sports
coupe, as a new convertible was added at midyear. Camaro's Firebird cousin also
got a droptop, but it didn't appear until late spring.

Base and Z28 versions of the Camaro returned,
both offering coupe and convertible models. Convertibles came standard with a
power top and glass rear window, the latter of which allowed for a rear
defroster -- a nicety many ragtops lacked. Meanwhile, Removable Roof Panels, more
commonly known as T-tops, also made a comeback after a one-year absence.

Engine choices remained the same. Base models
got a 160-horsepower 3.4-liter V-6, which ran on regular fuel, while Z28s had a
275-horsepower 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 that demanded premium. As before, the base
Camaro with its V-6 came standard with a five-speed manual transmission,
offering a four-speed automatic as an option.

But in an effort to increase
performance while remaining above the government's gas-guzzler limits, Z28s now
came standard with the Corvette's CAGS (Computer-Aided Gear Selection)
six-speed manual mated to a shorter 3.42:1 axle ratio.

The latter gave better
off-the-line punch than the previous 2.73 and 3.23 rear ends, but many
enthusiasts bemoaned the adoption of the CAGS transmission with its forced
first-to-fourth-gear shift under light throttle. Those who really disliked it,
however, could still opt for the four-speed automatic.

Announced at the beginning of the year was the
addition of traction control as a midyear option on Z28s with automatic
transmission. It would be Corvette's ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) system,
which could be turned off by a dashboard button. But it didn't arrive at
midyear, nor even by the end of the year; in fact, it wouldn't be offered until
late in the 1995 model run.

The Z28 performance model offered a snarly 275 horses.

1994 Chevrolet Camaro Facts

Model

Weight range (lbs.)

Price range (new)

Number built

Camaro

3,247-3,524

$13,499-$22,075

125,244

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